Bike Festival events selling out

Brett Bellchamber from Australia will compete at the Rotorua Bike Festival in February (sportograf.com).

Rotorua Bike Festival events are already selling out with just under a month still to go till opening day on Friday February 12.

"It's a real indication of growing interest and demand," said David Crowley from the Festival Charitable Trust.

The first major event to put up the sold out signs was the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro, with more than 400 riders entered.

A more boutique event, a photography workshop, just pipped the Gravity Enduro. Local photographer, Mead Norton, has added two more workshops to meet the demand.

Other events are also open to enter - like Bike the Lake Rotorua, the Return of the Skyline Sprint Warrior, the Mountain Bikers Ball, the WEMBO 24 Hour Solo World Champions, Niner Bikes Nduro24 and The Big Bike Film Night.

BMX riders can enter the local club's National Qualifier meeting on the first weekend.

Novices can register for the MTB Beginners Ride, aimed at getting more people on bikes.

Entry to the Runway Project events at Rotorua Airport opened on Friday. Supported by Air New Zealand, the QE Health Ride the Runway and Holland Beckett Lawyers People's and Elite Flying Kilos are expected to attract more than 1500 riders.

"The range of events is just so diverse, there's something for everyone," Mr Crowley said.

"We're recommending that people get in quickly for the events that are already open. There are others that are on the day entry and some are free or gold coin, only. "

The festival also makes great spectating. One to watch will be the WEMBO 24 Hour Solo World Championships with a head to head battle in the Singlespeed category between Australian, Brett Bellchambers, and local legend, Garth Weinberg.

The two Niner riders are past world champions. Bellchambers has won three WEMBO Singlespeed world titles. Weinberg won the Singlespeed World Championships on home territory in 2010, with Bellchambers pack in the pack.

"I'm really not quick enough to compete with Garth in the short-course events, but I've got a very big engine and can churn out the laps over 24 hours," said Bellchambers from Canberra. "I can't wait to hit those Whakarewarewa trails, again."

For more on the festival programme go to www.rotoruabikefestival.com.